November 2017 – Praying Pint

Teach me

“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”

Psalms 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Psalms 25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

Psalms 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

Psalms 27:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Psalms 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Psalms 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Job 34:32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Jeremiah 32:38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Having the right mindset is key to fearing God and seeking His way for your life. How many times can you give stories on people who have the mindset they can figure it out themselves and do not ask to be taught? It is easy to fall into the trap believing the current amount of biblical knowledge and understanding is all that is needed when things seem to be going fine and without many issues. This easily leads down a path of complacency and neglect. Note these scripture references; “Teach” me – let me “Hear” – make me “Know” – give me “Understanding” – “lead” me – He will “Instruct”. The heart, mind and soul of these people were humbly seeking God. They did not necessarily set time aside to give thought to God and about God, but rather this was their mindset foundation and permeated every second of their life. With this foundation their mind, heart, eyes, and ears were open and actively seeking to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God’s purpose in and through their life. Trying to please God with our own purposes on our own path takes us further away from God rather than closer. Desire, seek, and choose to be led by Him.

Living God, Steadfast love

Psalms 86:1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Isaiah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Isaiah 66:13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the LORD shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.

Psalms 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalms 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Exodus 15:11 “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

There is a peace that comes to mind when reading these verses. They speak of God’s dominion, rescuing power, signs, wonders, comfort, holiness, refuge, deliverance, grace, and steadfast love. These words speak of our LIVING GOD. They were spoke in during times of trouble or immediately after being delivered. The depth of the heart cry speaks of the hope and trust they had in God. The out pouring of praise and worship during their time of trouble reveals their heart and soul reliance in God. God’s signs and wonders are around us if our eyes, ears, heart and mind desire to seek, hear, and see His work. We might see the change of heart at work in people. We may see joy in someones life. We may see deliverance from sin. We may see conviction, confessing and true forgiveness. We may see peace that passes all understanding. We may find hope when it appears there is none. We may have victory over a besetting sin. We have understanding and knowledge from His word. We may have success over a difficult task. Spend time in His word. Seek to know and understand the depths of His power, might, and steadfast love. Choose to be a humble servant, ever thankful, ever seeking to honor, ever wanting to follow, and heart set on obedience.

Imitators of God

“For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Psalms 85:13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

Psalms 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Isaiah 58:8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Psalms 119:35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

1 John 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of the throne of God. Steadfast love and faithfulness shine a light on the path our live should follow. Jesus walked this side of heaven teaching with His word and also as an example of humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying God the heavenly Father. Paul said we ought to imitators of God, walking in love and setting aside every sin that clings so closely to us. We are to live like this with a heart desire and endurance. In Psalms David requested to be led on a path that followed God’s statues and commands. There is a choice required in our heart, mind and soul to seek and know God. This same choice desires to be led on paths that honor and glorify Him. Each day we have a choice to commit to following Him or be complacent. We have a choice to know Him more and more each day or neglect His word. To be imitators of God and be a light in the darkness, time in His word with desire to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him are essential.

Clean hands and pure heart

“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalms 85:9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Psalms 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Psalms 50:23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalms 119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.

Mark 12:32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Acts 11:13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

Zechariah 2:5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Exodus 34:6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

Romans 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Guilty, iniquity, wicked, transgression, sin, do not seek, false, deceit, and unclean heart are all words used to describe the heart and condition of man without Christ. Now look at what scripture says of God and what is found through Christ to those who believe; good, steadfast love, salvation, faithfulness, righteousness, peace, clean hands, pure heart, thanksgiving, understanding, strength, saved, grace, truth, forgiven, and justified. Open your heart and mind to His word and seek Him in times of peace and trials. There is no other place to find truth, happiness, and hope for eternity.

Peace I give to you

“May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!”

“ And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.”

Psalms 85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

Hebrews 12:25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Acts 10:36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)

2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Acts 3:26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Galatians 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

God gives us a peace that is foreign to the world. This peace is present in both times of blessings and troubles. Having knowledge of this peace and living in it have two different outcomes. A choice is made with the knowledge to either believe and claim it or reject it and it’s power in our life. Many times we seek this peace when we face trials and troubles. We run to God and seek His intervention. Yet in times of blessing it seems as though it is a foreign thing to think of God, His sovereignty, His steadfast love, and His mercy and grace. It is in His hands we find and live in this peace of mind. The world will throw many a sense of false peace. In the end these are nothing more than distractions that lead down paths of false hope and satisfaction. The peace that God gives and is found in Him leads us through times of trials with hope, peace, refuge, courage, strength and power. Through times of blessings it leads us to praise, thankful hearts, contentment, rejoicing, and kindness. Read His word and search it for knowledge of God’s sovereignty, power, promises, peace, hope, joy, kindness, and steadfast love.

Restore us, O LORD God

“For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction.”

“Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!”

You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.”

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Psalms 85:1 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Jeremiah 31:18 I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God.

Lamentations 5:21 Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored!

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Acts 13:39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Isaiah 54:7 For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Psalms 78:38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.

How do you know if God is angry with you? How do you know if you are being disciplined? How do you know if you are right with God? How do you know if your life is on the straight and narrow path of God? There are many examples in scripture that speak of generations of people who lived in a way that was apart from God. There was a choice made in their life to neglect Him and His statutes. This choice, I have to think, was not all at once but was the result of many small steps on a path that did not honor, serve, follow, or obey God. Taking many small steps or fewer large ones in the wrong direction on the wrong path will always end up further and further away from God. Soon you are lost and forget what the path of God for your life looked liked. The light on His path for your life becomes totally dimmed, if not dark and deserted. Everyday we battle our sinful desires that want to direct our heart, mind and soul. Neglecting Him and being complacent in service and obedience to Him is what Satan desires and uses to light a path away from God. The only way to win this battle is to stay in His word, desiring to stay close to Him, and wanting to be led by Him. Do not wait until you are totally lost before turning back to Him. Call out and seek to be rescued and restored. Seek Him and He will be found. Humbly serve Him and He will guide you.

Thankful – God will supply all our needs

“Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

“Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered”

Psalms 84:4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 34:9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Proverbs 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 28:6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

Have you ever thought of what it is that hinders walking with God? Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, greed, and pride all lead down a path of ever wanting and never finding. These are all temporary satisfactions that have no end and will never satisfy the heart, soul and mind. Satisfaction the world offers is tied to that which cannot satisfy the heart and soul. Searching for satisfaction outside of God is like chasing the wind – (never caught – only a temporary sensory feeling – always changing direction). Those who desire and seek God choose to be humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying Him. Their eyes are on Him and eternity promised. Holiness, purity, genuine love, kindness, faith, hope, generosity, obedience, service, and humbleness replace complacency, neglect, lust, greed, and worldly satisfaction. Their hope is in the Lord. Their trust is in the Lord. Their strength is in Him. Their peace is in Him. Their want is to honor Him. Their desire is to serve, follow and obey Him. Their wisdom and food for life this side of eternity is found in His word and promises.

Delight in God

“Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.”

“Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God”

I will create a new heaven and new earth. The former things will no longer be remembered nor come to mind.”

Psalms 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

Psalms 36:8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Psalms 27:4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”

Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

1 Kings 22:19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left;

A dwelling place with God. A Holy place where those who are called by Him and choose to honor, follow, and obey Him, knowing their delights this side of eternity are but a shadow of what what it is to be like in eternity. What are these delights? In the midst of trials and troubles – a peace of mind that passes all understanding, in times of confusion – a clarity of understanding, in times of a broken heart – comfort of His ever loving arms wrapped around you, in times of weakness – being able to withstand knowing His power and might, in times of darkness – having the light of His word, in times of despair – finding hope and refuge in Him, in times of blessings – knowing they are from God’s own hand. Our response to what we face everyday is a direct reflection of our heart, mind and soul and our in relationship to Him. We grow continually in our understanding of Him when we submit to humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying Him. Our delights change from things this world has to offer to those that honor God. Spending time in His word with heart, mind and soul desire to know and serve Him is not only daily good for our walk with Him but allows us to delight in Him and His sovereignty.

They know

“But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.”

“the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”

Psalms 83:18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalms 9:16 The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

1 Kings 18:37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

2 Kings 19:19 So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone.”

Jeremiah 16:21 “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the LORD.”

Ezekiel 30:19 Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 38:23 So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

Daniel 4:25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

“I am the Lord”, “I will make Myself known”, “I will show My greatness and holiness”, “I will execute judgment”, “I will make them know My power and might,” are all actions God has taken to turn the hearts of man from themselves to Him alone. When God is our refuge, strength, and hope we rely on His holiness, greatness, power, might, grace, mercy and love. The safest place of refuge is in Him alone. The safest path to be on is the one on which He is leading you. The strongest you will ever be is when you rely on His strength. The most courageous actions you will ever take are those directed and guided by Him. When we rely on, cling to, and trust in Him we find peace that passes all understanding, strength we did not have, hope beyond our circumstances, light in the darkness, and wisdom beyond our understanding.

My Friend and Brother, Choi

I want to share an update from a dear friend Choi, who has established a ministry for READING GOD’S WORD. Read how Choi is being led by God. and his is faithfulness.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Praise the Lord! We give thanks to our God for a powerful spirit filled one month intensive Bible Reading camp which concluded last Nov.2, 2017. We also thank you for your prayers .
There were 9 students who succesfully finished the course.
We would like to share our experiences during the camp:There are three things that we taught them :
1st: How to read the Bible…
2nd:How to memorize
3rd: How to pray.

Reading the Bible , finishing the Old Testament 2x and the New Testament 5x brought about healing among the students both physical and spiritual.
At first they noticed that they cannot read loudly and felt weak, vomits and poor concentration but after a while they felt better , noticed by a change of radiance or glow in their faces.

Let me discuss how to guide candidates on how to read the Bible. There are 3 stages.
Firs stage: just read the whole Bible and understand story telling ex. who is Abraham, Jacob etc.
Second stage: find out Jesus in the scriptures. Ex. type, portrait, shadows of Jesus . (Jn 5:39; Lk 24:44)
Third stage: connecting our faith and spiritual life.The word is God and is Spirit and the word is life.(2 Cor.3:5-6, Jn 6:63)

How to memorize:
It is very important to prepare a notebook where you write the verses.
1. Read loudly the verses several times say 5x
Then close eyes to memorize . You memorize by line. Apply same method until the whole paragraph is memorized.
2.Repeat and repeat and repeat everyday.
Now we challenge by level. Level 1 is 100 verses, Level 2 at 200, 3 at 300 so on and so forth.

Repeatition will bring miracles.For one month the candidates were able to memorize over 400 verses! Reciting the verses loudly brings healing to your inner being. . Then you find out your true identity and now communicate in your spirit. All your 5 senses are involved and awakened.

How to Pray:
Every morning devotion from 5-7 am , we confess our personal sins and our ancestral sins. We read 5 chapters of psalms and a chapter of proverbs.
We also pray for His kingdom and righteousness, Israel, Phil government and Christians, for Mindanao, we also pray for the Bible Reading International academy , the alumni and their ministries , and personal prayers.

Finally , where does the Holy Spirit guide this ministry ? We recognize that the Holy Spirit guide the Bible Reading ministry to schools and jail . Now the alumni have opened in 20 schools and 2 jail ministries.
Right after the graduation and commissioning ceremony last Nov 2, we went to Maragusan to dedicate the Bible Reading center and proceeded the following day to Saranggani for the youth memorization camp attended by more or less 60 youths and they memorized 50 verses in one day.